Minister Jolly Leads TCI Delegation at Global Sustainable Islands Summit in St. Kitts

PRESS RELEASE

FROM THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM,

ENVIRONMENT, HERITAGE, AGRICULTURE,

FISHERIES, MARITIME AND GAMING

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, Friday, 6 June 2025 – The Turks and Caicos Islands was represented on the international stage last week as Hon. Zhavargo Jolly, Minister of Tourism, Agriculture, Fisheries, and the Environment, led a delegation to the Global Sustainable Islands Summit (GSIS) held in St. Kitts and a Forum on Access to Climate Finance for Sub-National Island Jurisdictions in Nevis.

The Minister was joined by Ms. Tracy Knight, Representative to the UK and Head of the Turks and Caicos Islands Government London Office, and Mr. Arthur Been, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism. Together, the delegation participated in key panels, policy exchanges, and bilateral meetings aimed at strengthening the Islands’ position in regional sustainability efforts.

In his remarks to the summit, Minister Jolly highlighted the unique challenges faced by British Overseas Territories in accessing international climate finance — and emphasized the urgent need for island territories like TCI to be included in global funding frameworks.

“We may be small in size, but our ambitions are big. Turks and Caicos is ready to lead, and we are taking the steps now to build a more resilient and self-reliant future,” Minister Jolly said. “While we continue to prepare ourselves for greater autonomy, we must ensure that we’re not left out of the funding conversations that shape our future.”

The Minister outlined several ongoing initiatives, including a national climate risk assessment and collaboration with the Caribbean Development Bank on coastal defense. He also shared aspirations around green innovation — including the potential development of a utility-scale solar energy project and improved drainage infrastructure to combat flooding in key tourism and residential zones.

“These are the kinds of forward-looking ideas we want to explore seriously over the next decade,” he noted, “but our people will be at the center of any plan we advance.”

Tracy Knight, who served in a key support and advisory role throughout the summit, brings years of experience representing Turks and Caicos Islands in the UK and Europe. As Head of the TCI Government London Office, she has worked closely on UK and EU development initiatives, including past engagements under the European Development Fund (EDF), and continues to advocate for greater access to global funding streams for the islands.

“The Turks and Caicos Islands continue to face real limitations as an Overseas Territory when it comes to accessing key sources of development and climate finance,” said Knight. “My role is to ensure our voice is heard, especially in the rooms where funding decisions are made. This summit reinforced how important it is for us to stay engaged — and to keep pushing for equity and inclusion on the global stage.”

The TCI delegation also held constructive dialogue with regional counterparts, including USVI Governor Albert Bryan Jr. and Nevis Premier Mark Brantley, building ties that may support future cooperation in tourism, conservation, and disaster resilience.

Following the summit, Minister Jolly reaffirmed his Ministry’s commitment to bold but practical planning and expressed confidence that Turks and Caicos can become a leader in sustainable island development.